Today is January 4th.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Galatians, chapter 4.


But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.


The Apostle Paul says that sin enslaves us, it deprives us of freedom, of forgiveness, of friendship and intimacy with God. Sin uses and abuses us. When you think about your life, where has sin enslaved you?

Jesus has come to redeem us. By his death on the cross, he purchased us out of slavery—that’s what it means to be redeemed. But not just to go free to go. He says that we become like children, free to come to God. Free to be accepted and loved and cherished, like a special son or daughter. He says that you become an heir of God himself. Think for a moment about your spiritual inheritance what gifts have you received because you are a child of God?

Because of Jesus, we don’t have to have a distant relationship with God. He wants us to know him intimately, not as “Master” and not even as “Father”, but as “Abba”. It’s a tender name, like “Papa” or “Daddy”. As you hear the passage again, allow the Spirit in you to call out “Abba”.

As you walk through your day, pay attention to the nearness of your “Abba, Father”. Be reminded that you are a beloved child.

Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music - Sons and Daughters - Kyle Howard - (YouTube)